A2Council Meeting Summaries

Tag: TC-1 Zoning

Ann Arbor City Planning Commission: September 6, 2023

This meeting was held in person at City Hall.

APPROVED: 2805 Burton Road – Brightdawn Village Site Plan Amendment. A proposal to reduce the size of the indoor gathering building by approximately 2,000 sq ft, adjust sidewalks and utility leads, relocation of barrier free parking and electric vehicle charging updates per current edition of UDC (Unified Development Code) on this 8-acre site zoned R4B (Multi-family Residential) (Legistar)

APPROVED: 1800 Washtenaw Avenue – Evans House for Scholars Special Exception Use, increasing occupancy from 65 to 107 persons. No proposed changes to exterior of house, 0.85-acre parcel, zoned R2B (Two-Family Dwelling) (Legistar)

  • The initial proposal requested an increase in occupancy from 65 to 85 persons. During the meeting, Planning Commissioners approved an increase to 107 persons, which is the maximum number based on the lot area.
  • This item was postponed from the August 1, 2023 Planning Commission meeting: https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-august-1-2023/

APPROVED: Proposed changes to the UDC for TC-1 zoning setbacks will be sent to City Council for approval. (Legistar)

  • According to the minutes, “Chair Lee recuesed himself from the hearing due to his employer’s involvement in the project.” According to Linkedin, Wonwoo Lee is the Chief Real Estate Officer for Oxford Companies. At the July 18, 2023 meeting, Wonwoo Lee was elected Chair of the Planning Commission.
  • From the staff report: “The proposed amendments include establishing Transit Corridor as a Street Type Designation and amending the new minimum and maximum required front setback depending on street type designation in the TC1 district provided in Table 5.17-4, as well as a new footnote to describe the curb line to building measurement which would apply to these setbacks. The current minimum and maximum required front setbacks for parcels not on a Transit Corridor street type remain unchanged.”
  • As initially proposed by staff, TC-1 would require front setbacks between 20 to 40 feet. This was amended by Planning Commissioners to be 18 to 28 feet, as measured from the ground floor.

APPROVED: Site plan and Landscape Modification for Blossom Dental at 2680 Packard Road. The developer is proposing a one-story 13,273 square foot building and 29 car parking lot on a 1.21 acre parcel zoned O (Office District). (Legistar)

Legistar and Video Links

Legistar: https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1069318&GUID=5472102E-A66E-457B-9F70-95E1932D4808

YouTube: https://youtu.be/T3pNz72rxMU

CTN Video: https://ctnvideo.a2gov.org/CablecastPublicSite/show/8785

Meeting Length: 4h 7m

Ann Arbor City Council: September 5, 2023

This Ann Arbor City Council meeting was held in person at City Hall. Members of the public can participate in public hearings and public comment either in person or via phone.

CM Watson was absent

Legistar
YouTube
Newsletter
Voting Chart

A2Council Update Video

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: Ten parcels with addresses on South State Street (1601, 1605, 1607, 1609, 1611), Henry Street (714), and White Street (1606, 1608, 1610, 1612) will be rezoned from R4C (Multiple Family Residential) to C1A/R (Campus Business Residential) in order to permit the construction of a development (“SouthTown by 4M”) that includes 216 dwelling units with a 54 space parking garage. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A 20,861 square foot property at 3021-3023 Miller Road will be purchased for $2.9 million in order to house new facilities for CTN as well as an Election Center. CTN facilities are currently located at 2805 South Industrial Highway in a property that is leased from an LLC affiliated with Jeff Hauptman of Oxford Companies. Regarding the new property at 3021-3023 Miller Rd, a memo explains that months ago, Oxford Companies met with City staff to “determine design needs, mock-up a preliminary design sketch of the floor plan and render an estimated cost of construction.” Oxford Companies have been asked to provide “up-to-date service and life-span information” for all mechanical systems. (Legistar)

  • On the Consent Agenda this week, Council approved allocations of $6.2 million that were transferred to the City’s general fund when the Ann Arbor Housing Commission “purchased” the City-owned property at 350 S. Fifth. Those allocations include explanation that some of the funds would be used to purchase this property. (Legistar)
  • Funding for this purchase comes from $996,750 in ARPA allocations, $1,075,000 from general fund balance, and $828,250 in Affordable Housing Funds received from the Housing Commission (proceeds from the sale of 350 S. Fifth to the Housing Commission).
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/09/525m-ann-arbor-project-to-create-new-secure-election-center-tv-studio.html

APPROVED: A new ordinance will require sellers of certain residential housing units to disclose a “Home Energy Audit” prior to sale. Requirements do not apply to multi-story/multi-family housing, accessory dwelling units, mobile homes, or commercial buildings. Sellers will provide a Home Energy Score Report completed by a Home Energy Assessor (certified by the US Department of Energy). Included in an audit will be estimates of annual and monthly energy use and cost by fuel type, as well as comparative Home energy scores for similar dwellings. These seller disclosure requirements may be waived at the “sole discretion” of the Director of the Sustainability and Innovations department (Dr. Missy Stults). (Legistar)

APPROVED: Amendments to the TC-1 zoning category address two potential uses: (Legistar)

  • Automobiles, Motorcycles, Recreational Vehicles, Equipment (Sales and Rental)
  • Automobile, Truck, Construction Equipment Repair

These amendments were in response to a City Council resolution (12/5/22 – Legistar) requesting that the Planning Commission “evaluate and recommend amendments to the TC1 Zoning District or Unified Development Code (UDC) that:

  • Incorporate limited automobile-related uses into the TC1 District, excluding drive throughs and gas stations
  • Address constraints of existing narrow rights of way”

  • In a memo (4/18/23 – Legistar), City Staff explained that these amendments do not offer “an evaluation or recommendation to address the constraints of existing narrow rights-of-way, or propose an amendment to the maximum building height limits. These issues will require more time and resources than consideration of permitted uses.”
  • In that memo, City staff recommended that these uses be permitted as a primary use: “Staff recommend approval of the proposed amendment to allow automobile, motorcycle, recreation vehicle, equipment (sales and rental) in the TC1 district.”
  • They explained further: “Given the existing form-based development standards of the TC1 district, incorporating vehicle sales and rental and vehicle repair uses will have minimal long-term impacts. Newly established vehicle sales, rental and repair uses are required to be in buildings of at least two stories, with an active street-level use, and easy for transit and nonmotorized-transportation users to access. As with any business in TC1, auto-related businesses would only be allowed limited areas on site for outdoor storage of vehicle inventory, or vehicles waiting for repair or pick-up.”
  • City Council did not consider this recommendation from City staff. Instead, Council approved the recommendation of five Mayoral appointees on the Planning Commission, who proposed that these categories be allowed only as “special exception use.” By City ordinance, all applications for a “special exception use” are ultimately accepted or rejected by the Mayoral appointees on the Planning Commission.
  • The approval process for Special Exception Use is explained in the “Procedures Summary Table” in section 5.27 on page 170 of the “Unified Development Code Eighth Edition (February 26, 2023)” at this link: https://www.a2gov.org/departments/planning/Pages/Unified%20Development%20Code.aspx
  • It is worth noting: six votes are required for the Planning Commission to act on plans, policy statements, granting of special exception uses, recommendations to City Council, and petitions. Due to three absences and one recusal, the 5-0 recommendation to approve these ordinance amendments was not actually approved by the Planning Commission. Minutes from the 4/18/23 Planning Commission meeting explain that “the motion as amended failed.” http://a2gov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=12187547&GUID=C4CDE3BC-4F07-41D9-9DDC-F1ADBA46CD8A
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/09/ann-arbor-changing-transit-corridor-zoning-to-allow-car-oriented-businesses.html

APPROVED: An ordinance amendment will create a new class of “micro-business” under city regulation of Marijuana facilities. Currently, one category of micro-business is defined as a facility cultivating up to 150 plants and processing/packaging/selling them to individuals over the age of 21. The amendment will establish a second category of micro-business (“Class A”) that allows a facility to cultivate up to 300 plants, package marijuana, purchase marijuana concentrate or infused products from a processor, and sell them to individuals over the age of 21. The new Class A micro business will not be permitted to process marijuana. (Legistar)

  • The amendment also includes an expansion of allowable hours of operation. Currently, marijuana facilities may not operate after 9 p.m. or before 7 a.m. The amendment will permit operation until to 12 a.m. (midnight).
  • City staff response to agenda questions explains that “there has been interest among marijuana business owners to allow extended hours of operation.” Additional staff explanation refers to “discussions among Council Members.”
  • “Factors that were considered include discussions among Council Members regarding the disparity between the closing hours of establishments in which liquor can be purchased or consumed (2:00 am) and marijuana dispensaries and consumption establishments (9:00 pm).”
  • Staff explained further: “AAPD had concerns about a potential 2:00 am closing time because of the amount of cash kept at dispensaries. AAPD recommended allowing marijuana establishments to remain open until 12:00 am for a trial period to see if there might be an uptick in crime during the extended hours, and to allow a later closing time if there are no issues with the 12:00 am closing time.”
  • Link to Council Agenda Response Memo (8/17/23): https://a2gov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=12232317&GUID=DA3A6F00-BC22-48A1-A3A9-159A0C12B15F
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/09/late-night-marijuana-ann-arbor-oks-new-midnight-curfew-for-pot-shops.html

APPROVED: By resolution, Council eliminates the requirement that traffic calming projects be approved by elected representatives. Moving forward, decisions will be delegated to the City Administrator and he is directed to develop a school traffic calming toolkit by December 31, 2024. A subset of mayoral appointees on the Transportation Commission (“Neighborhood Traffic Calming Committee”) will work with staff on updating and defining programs. (Legistar)

  • This resolution was recommended by mayoral appointees on the Transportation Commission. At their 8/16/2023 meeting (Legistar), the Transportation Commission specifically discussed removing the requirement that over 50% of residents on a street agree to traffic calming strategies before it can move forward. Commissioners, including Council Liaison Dharma Akmon referred to this as a change “to a collaborative model of public engagement, instead of the current empowerment model.” This distinction and shift from past policy was not included in the resolution considered by Council and it was not mentioned in discussion. The resolution on the Council agenda mentioned only that the City Administrator would pursue a “collaborative” model for public engagement.
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/09/aiming-to-slow-cars-ann-arbor-taking-steps-to-improve-traffic-calming-program.html

APPROVED: The City will vacate the street/public right of way that was never constructed at E. Moseley from the railroad tracks to S. Fifth Avenue. This location will be used by the University of Michigan for a future development. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator is directed to pursue a State of Michigan historical marker ahead of plans to erect a statue at City Hall to honor Kathy Kozachenko, the first openly gay or lesbian candidate to be elected to public office in the U.S. Kathy Kozachenko was elected to Ann Arbor City Council in 1974 from the then active Human Rights Party. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 5, 2023 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 5, 2023 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 5, 2023 Part 3

Ann Arbor City Council: August 7, 2023

This Ann Arbor City Council meeting was held in person at City Hall. Members of the public can participate in public hearings and public comment either in person or via phone.

Mayor Taylor was absent
CM Cornell was absent

Legistar
YouTube
Newsletter
Voting Chart

A2Council Update Video

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

Thirteen public commenters signed up to speak about rental housing concerns.

APPROVED: By resolution, Council directs the City Administrator to provide information about City response to storm-related power outages and recommendations for improvement by September 30, 2023. (Legistar)

The City Administrator is directed to provide an analysis of:

  • Geographic patterns of weather-related power outages
  • Emergency-related communication and coordination between the City, DTE, and community -organizations
  • Systems impacted by and City/community response to these events
  • The role of resilience hubs in these events

The City Administrator will also provide an inventory of community cooling/warming centers and an estimate of total emergency City costs related to power outages in February 2023, March 2023, and July 2023.

Feb 28, 2023 Power Outage articles:

July 27, 2023 Power Outage articles:

APPROVED: A list of Public Art Commission Capital Improvement Enhancements for FY24-FY29 from the Ann Arbor Public Art Commission. A long list of projects includes Allmendinger Park, Gallup Park, downtown restrooms, roundabouts at Moore/Longshore/Pontiac Trail and Dhu Varren/Pontiac Trail, and the band shell at West Park. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $100,000 in traffic calming devices on Fulmer Street (between Miller and Foss). Six devices will be installed: one curb extension at Foss, two raised mid-block crosswalks, and three speed humps. (Legistar)

POSTPONED: An $80,000 contract with SPARK for “economic development services” will fund their work attracting new business to Ann Arbor. From staff explanation: “The deliverables are the attraction and retention of companies that add or maintain taxable value and add or retain jobs.” Council voted unanimously to postpone this contract to the meeting of August 21, 2023 to give staff time to answer questions about diversity and representation within SPARK leadership and among the businesses they support. (Legistar)

POSTPONED: An ordinance amendment will lift the requirement that one commissioner be the “owner or operator of a transportation business operating in the City of Ann Arbor.” Council voted unanimously to postpone to the meeting of September 18, 2023, at the request of Council Member Harrison, who proposed that bylaws designate a seat for someone over the age of 55. (Legistar)

  • The Transportation Commission was first established in 2016, when the Taxicab Board was disbanded. Since 2016, the Transportation Commission has included eleven members:
    • 6 members of the public
    • 1 owner or operator of a transportation business operating in Ann Arbor
    • 1 member of the Planning Commission
    • 1 member of the Commission on Disability Issues
    • 1 individual appointed by the board of the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority
    • 1 member of City Council
  • After this amendment, seven members of the general public will serve on the Transportation Commission.

APPROVED (first reading): Ten parcels with addresses on South State Street (1601, 1605, 1607, 1609, 1611), Henry Street (714), and White Street (1606, 1608, 1610, 1612) will be rezoned from R4C (Multiple Family Residential) to C1A/R (Campus Business Residential) with conditions, in order to permit the construction of a development (“SouthTown by 4M”) that includes 216 dwelling units with a 54 space parking garage. (Legistar)

Staff explains that the rezoning “increases the development of the block about three times over what is currently allowed.” The height limit for current zoning is 30 feet and the developer proposes zoning with four conditions:

  • Height limited to 100 feet
  • Parking limited to 54 spaces
  • Natural gas connection only for emergency backup
  • Short term rentals (limited to 30% of units)

The maximum FAR (a calculation of permitted density) for C1A/R zoning is 300% and this development has requested a variance because it exceeds that maximum. Inclusive of the parking garage, the FAR for this development is 345%; excluding the parking garage, the FAR for this development is 308%.

The block proposed for rezoning and redevelopment/gentrification currently contains 49 housing units on 1.7 acres. There is one single family home at 714 Henry Street and the other nine properties are multi-family housing containing three to thirteen units each. The current R4C zoning prohibits these units from being used as dedicated full-time short term rentals. The zoning change to C1AR will allow the new housing units to be used as short-term rentals, consistent with the adjacent properties owned by the same developer.

APPROVED (first reading): Proposed amendments to the TC-1 zoning category to address two potential uses:

  • Automobiles, Motorcycles, Recreational Vehicles, Equipment (Sales and Rental)
  • Automobile, Truck, Construction Equipment Repair

At the table, Council unanimously approved an additional amendment to remove language requiring that auto-related businesses store vehicles in an enclosed building. (Legistar)

These amendments to TC-1 zoning are in response to a City Council resolution (12/5/22 – Legistar) requesting that the Planning Commission “evaluate and recommend amendments to the TC1 Zoning District or Unified Development Code (UDC) that:

  • Incorporate limited automobile-related uses into the TC1 District, excluding drive throughs and gas stations
  • Address constraints of existing narrow rights of way”

In a memo (4/18/23 – Legistar) City staff explained that these amendments do not offer “an evaluation or recommendation to address the constraints of existing narrow rights-of-way, or propose an amendment to the maximum building height limits. These issues will require more time and resources than consideration of permitted uses.”

In that memo, City staff recommended that these uses be permitted as a primary use: “Staff recommend approval of the proposed amendment to allow automobile, motorcycle, recreation vehicle, equipment (sales and rental) in the TC1 district.”

They explained further: “Given the existing form-based development standards of the TC1 district, incorporating vehicle sales and rental and vehicle repair uses will have minimal long-term impacts. Newly established vehicle sales, rental and repair uses are required to be in buildings of at least two stories, with an active street-level use, and easy for transit and nonmotorized-transportation users to access. As with any business in TC1, auto-related businesses would only be allowed limited areas on site for outdoor storage of vehicle inventory, or vehicles waiting for repair or pick-up.”

City Council will not consider this recommendation from City staff. Instead, Council considers the recommendation of five Mayoral appointees on the Planning Commission, who propose that these categories be allowed only as “special exception use.” By City ordinance, all applications for a “special exception use” are ultimately accepted or rejected by the Mayoral appointees on the Planning Commission. The approval process for Special Exception Use is explained in the “Procedures Summary Table” in section 5.27 on page 170 of the “Unified Development Code Eighth Edition (February 26, 2023)” at this link: https://www.a2gov.org/departments/planning/Pages/Unified%20Development%20Code.aspx

It is worth noting: six votes are required for the Planning Commission to act on plans, policy statements, granting of special exception uses, recommendations to City Council, and petitions. Due to three absences and one recusal, the 5-0 recommendation to approve these ordinance amendments was not actually approved by the Planning Commission. Minutes from the 4/18/23 Planning Commission meeting explain that “the motion as amended failed.” http://a2gov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=12187547&GUID=C4CDE3BC-4F07-41D9-9DDC-F1ADBA46CD8A

Coincidentally, at their 7/18/23 meeting, the City Planning Commission considered Bylaw amendments that would lower the vote requirement to five. That and other proposed changes will be discussed at the August 15th meeting of the Planning Commission. http://a2gov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=12170685&GUID=87997024-9E5B-4406-9167-E1969EAB8C1A

APPROVED (first reading): A new ordinance will require sellers of certain residential housing units to disclose a “Home Energy Audit” prior to sale. Requirements do not apply to multi-story/multi-family housing, accessory dwelling units, mobile homes, or commercial buildings. Sellers will provide a Home Energy Score Report completed by a Home Energy Assessor (certified by the US Department of Energy). Included in an audit will be estimates of annual and monthly energy use and cost by fuel type, as well as comparative Home energy scores for similar dwellings. These seller disclosure requirements may be waived at the “sole discretion” of the Director of the Sustainability and Innovations department (Dr. Missy Stults). (Legistar)

In questions to the agenda, several Council Members relayed concerns from realtors and asked about how this ordinance might delay real estate transactions. The Office of Sustainability and Innovations (OSI) provided this response:

  • “OSI is dedicating Community Climate Action Millage dollars to hire a full-time home energy assessor to do free home energy assessments for residents. We expect this person to be hired in the coming weeks (the job is currently posted), so they’ll be ready by the time this ordinance would take effect.”
  • “OSI has been coordinating with local energy service providers to help meet any additional demand that may exceed the ability of the soon to be hired Energy Assessor. This includes meeting with firms that could be put under contract to offer additional help during high demand periods and working with those firms to hire additional capacity to ensure they are ready to support the program as needed. Furthermore, these firms have agreed to work with the City on additional workforce development (i.e. training additional assessors) to grow both the Ann Arbor as well as the region energy assessment labor field.”
  • “Additionally, apart from the HERD ordinance, OSI has a goal to get all homes in Ann Arbor scored using the Home Energy Score. This goal helps move us toward achieving A2ZERO, and as it relates to HERD, getting homes scored before they decide to sell means it’s not a non-issue come listing & sale.”

https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/08/realtors-oppose-new-ann-arbor-law-to-disclose-home-energy-ratings.html

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 7, 2023 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 7, 2023 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 7, 2023 Part 3

Ann Arbor City Council: June 5, 2023

This Ann Arbor City Council meeting was held in person at City Hall. Members of the public can participate in public hearings and public comment either in person or via phone.

Legistar
YouTube
Newsletter
Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: By resolution, the City Planning Commission is directed to make recommendations regarding TC-1 rezoning of Washtenaw and Plymouth corridors and that this work be “prioritized above any additional considered modifications to the TC-1 Zoning district beyond those identified in Resolution R-22-390.” (Legistar)

APPROVED: The Council of Commons (CoC) is dissolved with explanation that moving forward “the evaluation of the feasibility and vitality of a central plaza on the Center of the City site can be conducted by City staff and City Council.” The City-owned property described as the “Commons” is the result of a City charter amendment approved by voters in 2018. That charter amendment designates the “Center of the City” as a public resource to remain under City ownership for the purpose of an “urban park and civic center commons.” The CoC was established in 2020 and has met since 2021. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A subrecipient grant agreement with the University of Michigan will facilitate a universal basic income pilot program. The UM group – Poverty Solutions – will partner with the Steady company to disburse a total of $1,600,000 in federal ARPA funds to 100 local families (estimated $528 per month for two years). Staff memo explains: “Details on how individuals may be selected for participation in the program will be announced after the contract is executed.” (Legistar)

APPROVED: A construction contract for $2,759,293.42 with Bailey Excavating will replace a water main, make stormwater improvements, resurface roads, replace curbs, add bumpouts, improve sidewalk ramps, and add buffered bike lanes on Pontiac and Moore as part of the Pontiac, Swift, Moore and Wright water main and resurfacing project. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $7,543,000 construction contract with Cadillac Asphalt for resurfacing and rehabilitation of streets on the west side (Norfolk, Suffolk,Tudor, Dunmore, Winsted) and in Ann Arbor Hills (Burson, Avon, Stratford, Belfield, Devonshire, Melrose, Aberdeen, Hawthorne, Bedford, Exmoor, Newcastle, Edinborough, Stonehaven, Mills, Shannondale). The contract also includes traffic calming devices on Granger Avenue (Packard to State), planned improvements to the shared use asphalt path along Huron Parkway and minor repairs to stormwater structures, water supply systems, and sewage disposal systems. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Up to $206,367 to purchase a conservation easement on a 20-acre forested parcel along Zeeb Road between Jackson and Liberty Roads in Scio Township (DeVine property). Washtenaw County will contribute $150,000. This is a Greenbelt Purchase paid for with the Open Space and Parkland Preservation Fund. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A $8,133,255 contract with Enerlogics Networks for purchase and installation of solar arrays at City facilities (approved 1/9/23) was RESCINDED in order to approve a $7,499,999 contract with Melink Solar. The size of a planned solar array at Steere Farm – on the site of the city airport in Pittsfield township – will be reduced by nearly half (from roughly 605kw of solar to 303kw). (Legistar)

  • In answer to a question to the agenda, City staff explained (link) that “the initial proposed size has been flagged by DTE as problematic. We are not fully clear on why, but we are working hard to resolve the issue. As one way to help compromise, we are proposing a decrease in size at Steere Farm and a slight increase to the size of the Wheeler system to help move the project forward.”

APPROVED: A $200,000 amendment to a contract for legal services related to the Platt Convenience, Inc. v City of Ann Arbor lawsuit. With this amendment, the City will have spent a total of $810,000 on outside legal services to handle this case. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Council Rules amendment to allow pre-registration for public comment until 5 p.m. on the day of a Council meeting. In November 2022, a majority of Council eliminated open public comment at the end of City Council meetings, adding a requirement that all public commenters pre-register. This amendment extends the deadline for pre-registration of public comment by one hour. (Legistar)

  • The elimination of open public comment and the new policy of pre-registration (up to 4 p.m.) allowed that public comments may occur at the end of a Council meeting but only when the total of pre-registered comments exceed 45 minutes. Since this change, there have been no opportunities for public comment at the end of (and in response to what has happened at) a City Council meeting.

APPROVED: The Council Calendar will be amended in order to reschedule the Monday, July 3, 2023 meeting to Thursday, July 6, 2023. (Legistar)

APPROVED: By resolution, the City attorney now has the “authority to initiate and pursue litigation or other legal action on behalf of the City – including but not limited to, lawsuits, administrative actions, appeals, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, amicus curiae briefs, and settlements as a class member.” The City Attorney will use “their best professional judgement” and provide “timely report to Council.” In the City charter, only two positions are directly accountable to City Council: the City Administrator and the City Attorney. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator will work with the Ann Arbor Housing Commission to evaluate how to leverage the proceeds of the Affordable Housing Millage (approximately $6 million annually) for bond financing of affordable housing units and/or acquiring additional parcels. The millage proceeds would be used to “pay back bonds directly or as credit enhancement to improve the terms of the bond.” Recommendations and proposed timing of bond issuance will be reported to Council by December 2023. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator is directed to work with staff to “identify incentives that would support voluntary efforts by residents and businesses to increase emissions reductions through a transition to sustainable and clean heating as well as beneficial electrification.” A friendly amendment asks the City Administrator to provide a written progress report to Council on “internal processes, particularly in the development review process” by December 30, 2023. (Legistar)

  • This resolution repeats goals and strategies approved by a previous Council and identified as the responsibility of the Office of Sustainability and Innovations (OSI).
  • Page 32 of the A2Zero Climate Action Plan issued April 2020 (link) explains: “To support the electrification of appliances, the City of Ann Arbor will work to establish policies that promote electrification of heating and cooking systems by evaluating options in codes, inventive programs, and through other avenues.”

APPROVED (first reading): An ordinance amendment will clarify that bicycles impounded by the Ann Arbor Police Department may be sold at public sale or they may be donated to a charitable organization, such as Common Cycle Community Bicycle Repair, a local nonprofit. (Legistar)

APPROVED (first reading): An ordinance requiring landlords to provide their tenants with local voter registration information will be repealed. This is in response to court decisions that invalidated similar laws in Minneapolis and St. Paul (Minnesota), declaring them unconstitutional. Similar ordinances in East Lansing and Ypsilanti are currently the subject of litigation. City staff report that the Ann Arbor ordinance is not actively enforced and other methods of voter outreach are more effective. (Legistar)

APPROVED (first reading): An ordinance amendment will prohibit the sale of dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, long-lived birds, or large reptiles at pet stores, the roadside, public rights- of-way, commercial parking lots, outdoor special sales, swap meets, flea markets, or other similar events in the City of Ann Arbor. Animals may only be sold on the premises of a breeder, by a publicly operated shelter or rescue organization, or private nonprofit rescue organization. Pet stores may provide space and care for animals owned by a shelter/rescue organization, for the purpose of adoption. (Legistar)

A2Council Update Video

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 5, 2023 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 5, 2023 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 5, 2023 Part 3
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for June 5, 2023 Part 4

Ann Arbor City Planning Commission: April 18, 2023

This meeting was held in person at City Hall.

Commissioner Abrons was absent
Commissioner Gibb-Randall was absent
Commissioner Mills was absent

RECONSIDERATION DENIED: The University of Michigan Credit Union petitioned the Planning Commission for reconsideration of a site plan for 2929 Plymouth Road that was denied at the April 4, 2023 meeting. Reconsideration was denied in a 2-4 vote. (Legistar)

DENIED: Amendments to Permitted and Accessory Uses in the TC1 Transit Corridor District. As amended at the table, the main motion failed in a 5-0 vote (6 votes were required). (Legistar)

  • As noted in a staff report, “City Council directed the Planning Commission to evaluate and recommend amendments to the TC1 (Transit Corridor) district to incorporate limited automobile-related uses and address constraints of existing narrow rights-of-way by Resolution R-22-390 passed on December 5, 2022”. Link to the Dec 5, 2022 Council meeting :https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-council-december-5-2022/
  • From the Planning Commission minutes: “Commissioner Lee recused himself from the discussion based on his employer’s ownership of land in TC1“. According to Linkedin, Wonwoo Lee is the Chief Real Estate Officer for Oxford Companies.
  • Due to other commissioner absences, this left 5 voting members of the Planning Commission. Six votes were required to pass the main motion.
  • As amended, the main motion (which was denied) read as follows:
    • The Ann Arbor City Planning Commission hereby recommends that the Mayor and City Council approve amendments to Chapter 55 Unified Development Code:
      • To allow automobile, motorcycle, recreation vehicle, equipment sales and rental as a Special Exception Use in the TC1 district (Section 5.15, Table 5.15-1);
      • To allow automobile, truck and construction equipment repair as a Special Exception Use in the TC1 district (Section 5.15, Table 5.15-1);
      • To add TC1 to Unified Development Code section 5.16.3 Commercial Uses, subsection C.1 which requires “Storage and Repair of Automobiles, Trucks, and Construction Equipment must be located in an enclosed Building.”
      • To redesign the Transit Corridor Development Use Specific Standards table to clarify the building typologies and application of standards (Section 5.16, Table 5.16-2)

Legistar and Video Links

Legistar: http://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1069298&GUID=346475F7-C8C4-4527-89E0-0ED5B52BE381

YouTube: https://youtu.be/rgWtYf9Kvso

CTN Video: https://ctnvideo.a2gov.org/CablecastPublicSite/show/8224

Meeting Length: 3h 15m

Ann Arbor City Planning Commission Working Session: December 13, 2022

This meeting was held remotely using the Zoom application. A recording of this working session was not made available by the City. I uploaded my recording of the Zoom meeting to YouTube, as well as a video summary.

This was a working session of the Ann Arbor City Planning Commission held on December 13, 2022. The purpose of the session was to discuss potential changes to the Transit Corridor Zoning district (TC-1) recently applied to West Stadium and Maple.

On December 5, 2022, Ann Arbor City Council passed a resolution directing the City Planning Commission to evaluate and recommend amendments to the TC-1 Zoning District or Unified Development Code (UDC) that incorporate limited automobile uses (excluding drive throughs and gas stations) and address the constraints of existing narrow rights of way.

Legistar link for this working session: http://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=954632&GUID=24686321-C6EC-45CE-ABC1-C1F70D698C28

A2Council link for the City Council meeting of December 5, 2022: https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-council-december-5-2022

https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2022/12/proposed-changes-to-ann-arbors-new-high-density-zoning-spark-more-debate.html

https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2022/12/ann-arbor-begins-task-of-reexamining-citys-new-high-density-zoning.html

A recording of this working session was not made available by the City. I uploaded my recording of the Zoom meeting to YouTube, as well as a video summary. Both videos are available below:

A2Council Update Video Summary

Video of Entire Meeting

Ann Arbor City Council: December 5, 2022

This Ann Arbor City Council meeting was held in person at City Hall. Members of the public can participate in public hearings and public comment either in person or via phone.

Legistar
YouTube
Newsletter
Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: A resolution in response to two specific concerns raised regarding the TC-1 zoning district at Stadium/Maple: the viability of ongoing commercial businesses, and narrow rights of way on Stadium Boulevard. It is proposed that some commercial outlets be permitted as a special exception use within the TC-1 district. Further, the minimal setback requirements in the TC-1 district at Stadium are problematic, given the limited distance between curbs and lot lines (~7 feet). Mayoral appointees on the Planning Commission are directed to evaluate and recommend amendments to the TC-1 zoning district in order to incorporate limited automobile-related uses (except for drive-throughs and gas stations) and address the issue of narrow existing rights of way. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Council members were appointed to Boards, Commissions, and Council committees (Legistar)

APPROVED: 2023 calendar for Council meetings, both regular sessions and work sessions. This calendar eliminates all work sessions traditionally scheduled as public meetings to discuss the annual City budget. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Council Rules and procedures, including recent amendments. Rules were amended to clarify language regarding mask requirements at in-person Council meetings: mask requirements will follow CDC guidance, consistent with local transmission rates. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A motion to suspend Council Rule 13, in order to bring a budget amendment back for reconsideration. Council rules allow that an issue previously decided can be brought back for reconsideration at the following meeting and that such a motion must come from a Council member who voted on the prevailing side in the original decision. Neither of these conditions would have been met in bringing back a budget amendment that was defeated at the September 19, 2022 Council meeting. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A budget amendment for $134,000 to fund a consultant to study the feasibility of the City taking control of major corridors at North Main, Washtenaw, Huron, and Jackson. These corridors are currently considered “state trunklines” and the Michigan Department of Transportation is wholly responsible for their maintenance and repair. (The state reimburses the City for minor repairs, e.g. filling potholes.) City control of these corridors would give the City complete responsibility for the cost of maintenance and repair (with some additional funds from Act 51 and other state funds). (Legistar)

Two resolutions related to the reallocation of ARPA funds:

APPROVED: Memorandum of understanding between the City of Ann Arbor & Washtenaw County for extension of the Border to Border Trail, connecting Bandemer Park to Huron River Dr. A plan for collaboration will create a safe, non-motorized connection between Bandemer Park and Huron River Drive part of the Bandemer-Barton Trail and Underpass Project. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $4,242,055.60 construction contract for sanitary sewer pipe lining work near downtown: Jefferson/Ashley to Miller/First and Hoover/Division to Arch/White. Work is scheduled to take place January to April 2023 as part of the High Level Trunkline Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Phase 2 Project. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A grant application for up to $1,000,000 from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for improvements to Buhr Park Ice arena. A Michigan Spark Grant program funds creation, renovation, or redevelopment of public recreation facilities. The Buhr Park project will replace the whole refrigeration system, reduce energy consumption, and improve accessibility and operations. The estimated total cost of the project is $1,665,000 – $2,350,000. (Legistar)

A2Council Update Video

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for December 5, 2022 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for December 5, 2022 Part 2

Ann Arbor City Council: November 10, 2022

This Ann Arbor City Council meeting was held in person at City Hall. Members of the public can participate in public hearings and public comment either in person or via phone.

This was the final Council meeting for CM Grand, CM Griswold, CM Hayner, CM Nelson, CM Ramlawi.

CM Griswold left the meeting early

Legistar
YouTube
Newsletter
Voting Chart

In the November 8, 2022 general election, Ann Arbor voters approved the Community Climate Action millage. This is a 20 year property tax at the rate of 1.0 mills, effective from 2023 through 2043, estimated to raise $6.8 million per year.

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: Amendments to the Council Rules will wholly eliminate open public comment from City Council meetings, except in cases where state law requires a public hearing.  Public comment would only be permitted by sign up in advance, by 5 p.m before a 7 p.m. meeting.  Fifteen pre-registered commenters are now allowed to participate at the beginning of the meeting.  Any additional pre-registered commenters will be allowed to participate at the end of the meeting.  Council comment minutes at the beginning of the meeting which were reduced in 2021 are restored. End of meeting Council comment minutes are removed. (Legistar)

APPROVED: One hundred ninety parcels along West Stadium Boulevard/Maple Road and additional parcels along Pauline Boulevard and Dexter Avenue are rezoned TC-1.  This zoning district (Transit Corridor district) will permit unlimited density, create height minimums except in close proximity to pre-existing residential areas, establish maximum (rather than minimum) parking requirements, require mixed use, eliminate any open space requirements, and eliminate side and rear setback requirements except where adjacent to pre-existing residential areas. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Annexation of parcels at 1855 N Maple Road, 1875 N Maple Road, and 1921 Calvin Street and zoning of a PUD for construction of a 79-unit apartment community with a single-story clubhouse. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A resolution directing the City Administrator to revisit a planned capital improvement project at Greenview and S. Seventh (south of Scio Church Road). Water main and resurfacing work will be delayed one year in order to re-design and repeat public engagement. Re-design and more feedback will be sent to the Transportation Commission. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator is directed to add the development of public restroom infrastructure to the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and look for creative ways to accelerate the development of public restrooms in downtown Ann Arbor. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator is directed to investigate the costs, operational needs, sustainability, and feasibility of utilizing the Library Lane surface parking lot for regular and recurring use by food trucks/carts and other similar and complementary programming no later than April 1, 2023. A final report from the City Administrator will examine the challenges and benefits of partnering with an external or non-profit entity to manage the program if City operation is too difficult. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator is directed to investigate the formation of an Office of Ombudsperson and report on it prior to development of the 2023-24 budget. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for November 10, 2022 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for November 10, 2022 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for November 10, 2022 Part 3

Ann Arbor City Planning Commission: October 18, 2022

This meeting was held in person at City Hall.

Commissioner Lee was absent.

APPROVED: Recommendation that City Council approve amendments to the UDC that eliminate current exceptions and revise standards for alternative stormwater detention. Amendments reorganize standards and requirements for stormwater management.

APPROVED: A draft 2023-2028 Parks and Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan. The PROS Plan includes an inventory of parkland and amenities, explanation of the budget and land acquisition process, and long-term goals of the park system in order to guide the future of services and programs. This plan replaces the 2016-2020 PROS plan.

APPROVED: Planning Commission Work plan for FY23.

  • Included in the plan is the RFP for revision of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, with consideration of the following:
    • Equity
    • Single family zoning
    • Eliminating “neighborhood character” and defining “community desires”
    • Exclusionary zoning
    • R1 zoning lot size and setbacks
    • Affordability measures
    • Climate resiliency
  • Related to adoption of the Comprehensive Land Use revision:
    • Mixed Use neighborhoods
    • Residential District infill
    • Unzoning
    • Parking Maximums
    • R4C
  • Also in the work plan:
    • TC-1 zoning for Washtenaw Avenue and Plymouth Road
    • Electrification/Net zero buildings
    • Reconsideration of housing premiums and solar energy readiness.

Legistar and Video Links

Legistar: https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=954621&GUID=10C1C14D-F74B-4404-AD20-0D6C594F917D

YouTube: not available

CTN Video: https://ctnvideo.a2gov.org/CablecastPublicSite/show/7570

Meeting Length: 2h 12m

Ann Arbor City Council: October 3, 2022

This Ann Arbor City Council meeting was held in person at City Hall. Members of the public can participate in public hearings and public comment either in person or via phone.

Legistar
YouTube
Newsletter
Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: An ordinance grants tenants a Right to Renew a lease, subject to specific exceptions (“just cause” for eviction). Landlords would adhere to a timeline for communicating terms of renewal (or explanation of non-renewal) consistent with the Early Leasing Ordinance: tenants will receive a good faith offer to renew (or notice of non-renewal with explanation) no later than 180 days before the end of the current lease period. A tenant will have thirty days (up to 150 days before the end of the current lease) to accept/reject terms of renewal. A landlord’s failure to comply will result in payment of relocation assistance to the tenant equal to two months rent, based on the current lease. (Legistar)

APPROVED (first reading): One hundred ninety parcels along West Stadium Boulevard/Maple Road and additional parcels along Pauline Boulevard and Dexter Avenue will be rezoned TC-1. This zoning district (Transit Corridor district) will permit unlimited density, create height minimums except in close proximity to pre-existing residential areas, establish maximum (rather than minimum) parking requirements, require mixed use, eliminate any open space requirements, and eliminate side and rear setback requirements except where adjacent to pre-existing residential areas. (Legistar)

APPROVED: An affordable housing agreement for The Standard (South Main Street and East William Street) includes two affordable housing units (one bedroom each) to be administered by the County’s Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) and offered at a rent level affordable to households earning up to 80% of AMI which will be available for 99 years. The site plan for The Standard includes 218 dwelling units and 421 bedrooms. (Legistar)

  • The site plan for The Standard was approved by Council on March 2, 2020. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The local state of emergency is terminated, effective immediately to be consistent with the lifting of state of emergency at the state and county level. City vaccination and electronic meeting policies would continue. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator will prohibit right turns on red on streets under City control, in the downtown and near-downtown area as bordered by Kingsley St., State St., Hoover Ave., and First St. and coordinate with the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority to provide an exemption from these turn restrictions for AAATA buses at intersections that serve multiple or frequent bus routes. (Legistar)

APPROVED: City Council urges the DDA (Downtown Development Authority) to pursue installation of improved safety barriers at City parking decks, where people have been known to fall or jump intentionally or unintentionally. (Legistar)

DEFEATED: A charter amendment would be placed on the ballot 11/7/23 for voter approval, establishing non-partisan nomination and elections to the city offices for Mayor and members of Council. This removes party affiliation from the ballot and also ensures a contested election in November if more than one candidate files to run for the offices of Mayor or City Council. If there are two or fewer candidates, there is no primary election in August and the candidates appear on the ballot in November, without party affiliation. If more than two candidates petition to run for Mayor or City Council, all candidates would appear on a primary ballot in August, without party affiliation. The two primary candidates receiving the highest number of votes in August would then appear on the November ballot, again without party affiliation. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for October 3, 2022 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for October 3, 2022 Part 2

Subscribe To My Newsletter

My name is Elizabeth Nelson, and I believe that your local government should be accessible and transparent. Since 2018 , I have sent out a newsletter before every Council meeting with my summary of agenda items coming before City Council, plus news and events of interest to Ann Arbor residents.

After each Council meeting, I create and post voting charts so that you can easily see how Council voted, and update this website with meeting summaries that include links to the City’s Legistar website, CTN’s YouTube video, and articles published on MLive.

Subscribe